CENTRE COUNTY — As the Pennsylvania state legislature looks to adjourn by the end of November, millions of dollars in grant funding for infrastructure, agriculture and emergency services has been earmarked for Centre County over the course of the last month.
Projects throughout Centre County are receiving the funds thanks to Pennsylvania’s Statewide Local Share Account, otherwise known as Act 71 of 2004. The LSA was a result of the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act in which the Commonwealth Financing Authority distributes gaming revenues to projects surrounding public interest statewide. The awarded projects must seek to “improve the quality of life of citizens in the community,” according to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
“From vehicles and facility upgrades to construction of a new community park, these projects represent a significant investment in our quality of life and collective well-being,” State Rep. Paul Takac said in a statement. “It’s a reflection of the value we place on community and our commitment to safety and prosperity.”
In addition to the LSA, Centre County was also awarded funding from the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program. In total, the county received close to $3.7 million.
“An important part of our jobs is to bring state funding back home, and these grants are an example of that,” State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff said in a statement. “This funding is going toward public safety and infrastructure improvements that will benefit the residents of these municipalities.”
Some of the local projects awarded in Centre County include:
- Snow Show Township — $591,358 for additional improvements to the Moshannon Community Center, renovating the EMS facility and a new municipal garbage truck
- Howard Township — $121,454 for the purchase of a skid steer and attachments
- State College Borough — $250,000 for the construction of a 20,000-square-foot skate park
- State College Area School District — $251,805 for HVAC system improvements
- Miles Township — $140,815 to purchase a municipal work truck
- Penn Township — $118,117 to purchase a truck with a snowplow and cinder spreader
- Potter Township — $150,000 to replace Lake Road Bridge, which crosses Sinking Creek
- Spring Township — $700,000 for the first phase of improvements to its community park
- Strawberry Fields Transportation Program — $83,390 to purchase a fully accessible van including a wheelchair lift to transport disabled residents
- Halfmoon Township — $118,891, $82,385 of which is earmarked for Port Matilda EMS to replace its nearly 20-year-old paratransit van and another $36,505 of which is allocated to Port Matilda EMS to buy a power lift stretcher
- Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership Inc. — $100,000 for the second phase of renovations to the Moshannon Valley Enterprise Center in Philipsburg
- Patton Township — $102,500 to replace the roof of a township building that serves as an emergency shelter
- Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District — $490,692 to replace sections of the high school’s deteriorating roof
- Rush Township — $161,846, with $103,985 earmarked for a new brush truck for Mountain Top Fire Department and another $57,861 allocated for township maintenance equipment such as two plows, a vibratory roller, a pressure washer and a tilt trailer
- State College Borough Redevelopment Authority — $105,750 for the Nittany Performing Arts Centre to begin engineering and design work on the 200-seat studio theater and an 800-seat full-sized stage
A couple of local volunteer fire departments will also benefit from the LSA grants. More than $257,000 was allocated to the Howard Fire Company No. 1 and the Snow Shoe Fire Company.
“We need to do all we can to support our irreplaceable emergency responders,” Sen. Cris Dush exclaimed in a statement. “I’m grateful this highly competitive grant program exists to defray some of the costs they incur while providing lifesaving services to our communities. I can think of no better way to invest these dollars — generated through local casino revenue — than to directly deliver much-needed financial assistance to the tremendously dedicated men and women who are selflessly sacrificing their own personal safety and quality time with their families to help friends and neighbors during their most desperate times of need.”
Here’s a closer look at the money benefitting these volunteer fire departments:
- Howard Fire Company No. 1 — $147,042 to purchase a quick response vehicle to be equipped with the latest lifesaving equipment for timely response in the Howard Borough, Howard, Marion Township and Curtin township
- Snow Shoe Fire Company — $110,000 to replace the HVAC system at the Snow Shoe Borough Fire Hall, the installation of the system will include energy efficiency, a split system, a platinum heat pump, oil-fired boiler, ductworks and air quality upgrades.
The multiple LSA grants aren’t the only ones benefitting Centre County, as funds from the federal American Rescue Plan through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development will go toward the purchase of a new ambulance for Snow Shoe EMS in addition to the previously mentioned LSA money.
“This $300,000 DCED grant we received will help us provide emergency medical services to our community and visitors. Without this grant it would be nearly impossible for us to be able to afford a new ambulance, which can cost up to $280,000 without equipment or a litter system,” Snow Shoe EMS Chief Sharon Nilson said. “That’s a lot of time spent fundraising; now that time can be spent on training our personnel to provide emergency care.”
Lastly, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced that $2.18 million was allocated to invest in 27 research grants that grow the state’s agriculture and work to keep up with changing climate, disease, technology and the marketplace.
Of those 27 grants, 13 of them amounting to about $1.15 million have been awarded to Penn State’s Ag Resource Centers, the Center for Agricultural Law and additional individual studies.
“PSU’s world-class College of Agricultura; Sciences produces cutting-edge research that guides our farmers and growers the best possible tools to fight plant and livestock disease, boost productivity and keep our food supply safe,” Takac remarked. “The new funding is going to support a wide range of projects — from promoting pollination to detecting pathogens and improving cattle health — to keep PA a national leader in agriculture.”
Here’s a breakdown of Penn State’s $1.15 in ag grants:
- Ag Resource Centers — $300,000
- Center for Agricultural Law — $100,000
- Evaluating ammonium thiosulfate and lime sulfur as apple bloom thinners: efficiency and pollinator impact — $71,339
- Conversion of spent mushroom substrate and low-value trees to sprayable bioplastics for agriculture — $100,000
- Monitoring bee populations in Pennsylvania to improve information on wild pollinator populations and pollination services — $82,426
- Understanding the potential of predatory mites to control mushroom flies — $77,559
- Robotic solutions for sustainable weed management in perennial cropping systems — $72,275
- PSU Scranton — Enhancing picking efficiency and optimizing mushroom bruising levels in robotic mushroom picking — $100,000
- Enhancing pathogen detection systems to promote bovine udder health — $27,535
- Exploring precision technology to find sick calves — $56,042
- Progesterone supplementation: a strategy to enhance fetal and placental growth in sheep — $34,846
- Association of respiratory disease on liver abscess development in cattle — $55,198
- Ornithine supplementation in early pregnancy: a strategy to enhance conceptus development in swine — $67,926
